Umahi Orders Arrest of Contractors Removing Asphalt, Vows Immediate Relief on Benin-Asaba Highway
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the immediate arrest of any contractor found removing asphalt from existing carriageways without authorisation, following an on-the-spot assessment of the deteriorating Benin-Asaba Highway and mounting complaints from motorists and host communities.
The development was contained in a press release signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works, dated August 26, 2026, after Umahi inspected the troubled 125-kilometre highway in company with key stakeholders, including the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, members of the National Assembly Works Committees, representatives of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
During the inspection on Tuesday, August 25, Umahi accused the concessionaire, Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC), of unprofessional conduct and slow execution of the project despite repeated warnings from the ministry and the project’s Independent Engineer, Yolas Consultants Limited.
“You are not adhering to engineering best practices in road construction and your methodology is adversely impacting road users, host neighbourhoods and the pace of work,” Umahi told the concessionaire.
The minister also faulted the company for removing asphalt from portions of the highway that were still in good condition, warning that such action could undermine already stabilised road infrastructure.
He subsequently directed Federal Controllers of Works and Engineering Representatives across the country to arrest any contractor who completely removes asphalt from an existing carriageway without proper justification and authorisation.
Umahi rejects concessionaire’s excuses
Explaining the slow progress of the project, BAECC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Daramola, attributed the delays to heavy traffic along the corridor and torrential rainfall, arguing that the highway is one of the most heavily trafficked routes in the country.
Umahi, however, dismissed the explanations as “unprofessional and untenable excuses,” insisting that the concessionaire must deploy appropriate engineering methods to minimise disruption to road users while delivering the project.
The minister apologised to Nigerians and residents of the affected communities over the hardship caused by the ongoing reconstruction and expansion works.
He assured motorists that the Federal Government would take immediate steps to restore traffic flow on the worst sections of the highway while pursuing longer-term solutions.
“The President feels their pains,” the statement quoted Umahi as saying, as he disclosed that a competent contractor would immediately be engaged to remedy the critically bad portions of the highway.
National Assembly condemns condition of highway
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, and his House counterpart, Hon. Akin Alabi, expressed concern over the condition of the highway and sympathised with motorists and host communities.
The lawmakers described what they witnessed as an “unacceptable disaster”, while pledging to support a comprehensive nationwide review of concession agreements to ensure strict compliance with their terms.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South Zone, Mrs Gift Johnbull, also assured residents that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was aware of their plight and had directed that a lasting solution be found.
Similarly, Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo assured motorists and residents that the intervention initiated by Umahi would address the problems, while appealing for patience as remedial works progress.
A follow-up meeting involving all parties to the concession agreement is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, August 26, at the Edo State Government House.
125km highway under 25-year concession
The Benin-Asaba Highway, which stretches from AIF Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, is a critical 125-kilometre Federal Highway linking the South-South, South-East and parts of the South-West.
It is one of the pilot corridors under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), Phase I, being implemented through a Public-Private Partnership.
The Federal Executive Council approved the concession on January 16, 2023, under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer model for a 25-year concession period, including a three-year construction phase.
The concession agreement was executed on May 23, 2023, between the Federal Ministry of Works and BAECC, while the project was formally handed over to the concessionaire on March 23, 2025.
A commencement order subsequently set April 8, 2025 to April 8, 2028 as the 36-month construction period.
However, according to the ministry, successive technical engagements and inspections revealed shortcomings in project execution, despite directives issued to the concessionaire to make immediate improvements.
NDDC pledges reconstruction of 15.4km failed section
During the inspection, the minister and the team also assessed ongoing reconstruction works on the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road.
The team inspected the 23-kilometre failed section being reconstructed with Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) by CBC Global Civil and Building Construction (Nig.) Limited on behalf of the Federal Government.
The ministry said approximately 75 per cent of the project had been completed, with Umahi expressing satisfaction with the quality and pace of work.
Another 10-kilometre stretch of the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road, Section I, Phase 2, being executed by CCECC Nigeria Limited, was also inspected, with about 25 per cent completion recorded.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director/CEO of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, pledged that the commission would reconstruct a critically failed 15.4-kilometre section between the Edo and Delta border along the Benin-Sapele Road.
Umahi thanked the NDDC for the intervention and directed officials of the ministry and the commission to work jointly on modalities for executing the project.
